Dream Smile Dental Introduces New Oral Cancer Screening Technology

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day just in the United States. Fortunately, early detection has an 80% to 90% survival rate. These shocking statistics have lead to extensive research in this subject with the aim of finding a method of detecting possible cancers in the mouth in its pre-cancer state.

Typically, oral cancer screenings are done by your dentist during the semi-annual exam using methods of palpation or direct visualization. Now, with a new technological development called the VELScope, Drs. Ronkin and Shwartzman can screen the entire mouth to find anything under the surface that may be invisible to the naked eye. "Oral Cancer often has no visible symptoms and by the time a lump is found or pain is felt, advanced stages have set in and the chances of

survival are minimal" states Dr. Evetta Shwartzman. The new protocol is a VELScope oral cancer screening at every periodic exam.

Using a bright blue light to highlight potentially dangerous tissue, the VELScope allows the dentist to discover irregular concentrations of mass that may possibly be cancerous. If the dentist is concerned with a particular area, a biopsy may be recommended as a preemptive measure. Most biopsies result in benign findings but, if further treatment is required, the dentist will provide you with your options. Eliminating the cancer early minimizes the chances of it producing more malignant cells from spreading, which could result in extreme treatment where resection is the only option.

Risk factors include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, unprotected exposure to the sun and low intake of fruits and vegetables, although according to the Oral Cancer Consortium, 25% of people diagnosed have no risk factors at all. "This is a concern for all Americans whether risk factors are present or not" explains Dr. Konstantin Ronkin.. Recognizing the power of prevention, Dream Smile Dental offers VELScope oral cancer screenings not only to their patients, but to the public as well.

Drs. Ronkin and Shwartzman's Two Worlds Collide

Both Canton Office and Moscow Office Attend the 2007 International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics (IACA) Third Annual Meeting

As you have previously read in our newsletters, Drs. Ronkin and Shwartzman have been running an aesthetic dentistry practice not only in Canton, but also in Moscow, Russia. The two year old Moscow office, Dental-Spa, is a part of The Boston Institute of Aesthetic Dentistry (BIAD), founded by Ronkin and Shwartzman. BIAD is a unique continuing education facility that holds courses on the most advanced methods of cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry.

This July, at the third annual International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics (IACA) conference in Chicago Ronkin and Shwartzman joined their two practices for a unique continuing education experience. The two offices met for the first time, but found to have a lot to talk about since they were running the same practice, only in two different countries. The annual conference provided Dr. Ronkin, Dr. Shwartzman and both practice teams the opportunity to learn and interact with the most progressive leaders in aesthetic dentistry and its related professions.

The IACA was established to foster dental education and is steadfast in its commitment to be a progressive, non-political, dynamic organization that is always on the cutting edge of clinical, practice management and technological advances in Aesthetic Dentistry. The IACA prides itself on being a scientific academy that affords its members the opportunity to become a leader in the health care community, while providing the best care possible for their patients. This is the philosophy that fuels Dental-Spa and BIAD as well. Highly advanced aesthetic and functional courses taught by Drs. Ronkin and Shwartzman give Russian dentists an opportunity to enhance their practices and expand to a level that has never been introduced to Russia before.

This is just one of the many important ways Drs. Ronkin and Shwartzman have demonstrated a commitment to provide exceptional patient care and education for their peers.

This issue's featured patient is someone who deserves honor and respect from our society for his dedication to the issue of crime in communities. A Milton resident, Officer Mark Conrad, has been on the Milton Police Force for 17 years while simultaneously heading a professional surveillance company called WESCON Personal Protection Inc.

His expertise in surveillance, undercover investigations and SWAT operations have caught the attention of various high profile clients including Mayor Thomas Menino and John Hancock's CEO John DezPrez who were very impressed with Conrad's services at a press conference held on June 19th 2007. A vastly attended event, the press conference launching the "Summer of Opportunity Program", is an effort to provide city kids with summer jobs. The program has a mutual goal with Mark in that they both work to prevent and minimize crime.

Mark's commitment to preventing crime has been recognized and admired by various influential people within the Commonwealth. After being nominated for a member of the state Parole Board by Governor Patrick Deval, Mark was initiated on July 25th 2007.

Featured Patient:
Mark Conrad

Mark's experience in law enforcement, employment development and security will surely bring positive action to the parole board and the various crime prevention programs he has planned. We all wish him the best of luck in this new chapter of his life.